Across the bay from Mount Desert Island and the main portion of Acadia National Park lies the Schoodic Peninsula.
This was for years a relatively undeveloped part of the park but with the transfer of the military base on the peninsula to the park service the infrastructure has been expanded to a level equivalent to the main park.
My parents had retired to northern Maine and I would stop here for a picnic lunch whenever I visited. I have many fond memories of this little out of the way corner of Acadia. Despite the infrastructure updates it is still a much less visited area. We recently spent a mid-August vacation in the area and the crowds on Mount Desert Island were enormous but you could still find some peace and quiet on the peninsula. A major update has been the addition of the Schoodic Woods campground.
The sites are beautiful spacious and very private.
Next on your road into the park is Frazer Point picnic area. This is a nicely developed picnic area that has tables and facilities convenient for a picnic lunch.
As you continue along the park road keep a look out for hiking trailheads along the way.
Keep an eye open for the Winter Harbor Lighthouse on the right side as you make your way along the coast. The lighthouse is on an island out in the bay.
You will come to a junction with a one-way road heading out towards Schoodic Point. On the way to the point you will pass the former military base which is now the grounds for the Schoodic Institute.
With the closure of the navy base the institute was set up as a non-profit education and research center for the National Park. There are many activities and programs available through the center, check the link above to access their web site.
Also on site is a visitor center and small museum.
Schoodic Point is the highlight of the peninsula. A rocky outcrop jutting out into the sea. Its exposed position leads to some incredible crashing surf especially during storm events,
This is a great place to climb the rocks or simply sit and watch the ocean.
As you leave the park and make your way back to US Route 1 be sure to look for the Prospect Harbor Lighthouse as you pass through the town of the same name.
Do not miss this hidden gem when you visit Acadia.
